Delhi High Court Grants Interim Custody Bail to Asif Iqbal Tanha for Writing Exams

New Delhi, 09 June 2021 [Fik/News Sources]: The Delhi High Court has granted interim custody bail to Asif Iqbal Tanha, Jamia Millia student who is in jail under UAPA in Delhi riots conspiracy case, to allow him to prepare and sit in three backlog exams for his Bachelor’s degree.

Live Law reported that Iqbal will be released on June 13 for two weeks.

A division bench comprising Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Anup J. Bhambhani granted bail to the incarcerated student on the condition that he will stay at an allotted facility under the custody of two prison guards. The court order said that he shall arrange a laptop computer and a non-smart phone which he will surrender to Delhi Police Special Cell at the end for forensic audit.

“Upon a conspectus of the facts and circumstances, and in particular the fact that it is imperative for the applicant to sit his 03 remaining backlog/compartment examinations to complete his B.A.(Hons.) (Persian) Programme, and based on the terms and conditions as agreed to between counsel for the parties, this court considers it appropriate to grant to the applicant interim custody bail,” the Court order cited by Live Law said.

During this period Iqbal will stay at the Fabhotel-Le-Grand Kalkaji, New Delhi. He will bear the cost of the two rooms — one for him and one for two prison guards who will be deputed by the Jail Superintendent.

Iqbal, the order said, has to deposit Rs.50,000 in advance by or before June 10 with the Jail Superintendent concerned.

He shall not invite to the said facility any visitors or guests, including family members, friends, classmates or any other person. He can use the laptop computer or cell phone for study purposes only. The order, however, allows him to make phone calls to his family and counsel up to a total of 10 minutes per day individually (but not with any third party) and not on conference calls.

Tanha is accused in a northeast Delhi riot case. He is facing trial in the main conspiracy case investigated by the Special Cell of Delhi Police.

This is the second time Iqbal is being granted bail for writing exams. Last year in December, a Delhi court granted him three days custody parole for this purpose. The court then said that it was necessary to allow him to appear in exams required for his further studies.